"Tank man" is one of the most pervasive myths about "authoritarian China." It's fascinating how many layers upon layers of nonsense are heaped onto this one "photo."
First, the idea that it is a photo, not part of a video where he is seen walking away. Most people in the west don't even know the video exists. But yeah, China is the literally 1984.
Even if you can get them to watch the video at all (a disgustingly large number of them will just flat out refuse to even watch a 30 second video) they will then make bizarre claims like "those people ushering him away are plainclothes police officers" or "the whole video is faked by China."
Years ago when I used it, I would occasionally see the other photos where the person climbs the tank. Some would comment that it was brave or strange, and maybe some would ask questions and change their mind. Before I migrated over, I didn't see anything like that. Every comment was a joke or negative towards China.
"Tank man" is one of the most pervasive myths about "authoritarian China." It's fascinating how many layers upon layers of nonsense are heaped onto this one "photo."
First, the idea that it is a photo, not part of a video where he is seen walking away. Most people in the west don't even know the video exists. But yeah, China is the literally 1984.
Even if you can get them to watch the video at all (a disgustingly large number of them will just flat out refuse to even watch a 30 second video) they will then make bizarre claims like "those people ushering him away are plainclothes police officers" or "the whole video is faked by China."
Years ago when I used it, I would occasionally see the other photos where the person climbs the tank. Some would comment that it was brave or strange, and maybe some would ask questions and change their mind. Before I migrated over, I didn't see anything like that. Every comment was a joke or negative towards China.